Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books January Reviews

We're pleased to share that the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books reviewed Shadow Weaver by MarcyKate Connolly and Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp for their January 2018 print issue. ​

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books on Shadow Weaver: “The theme of friendship is handled deftly here… A gripping finale reveals the truth about the “cure” for magic, and readers will eagerly anticipate learning more in a promised sequel.”

Shadow Weaver by MarcyKate Connolly

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Publication Date: January 2nd, 2018

Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Book Depository

Fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and The Night Gardener will devour Shadow Weaver, the first in a dark middle-grade fantasy duology that’s filled with shadows, danger, magic, and has the feel of a new classic.

Emmeline’s gift of controlling shadows has isolated her from the rest of the world, but she’s grown to be content, hidden away in her mansion with Dar, her own shadow, as her only company.

Disaster strikes when a noble family visits their home and offers to take Emmeline away and cure her of magic. Desperate not to lose her shadows, she turns to Dar who proposes a deal: Dar will change the noble’s mind, if Emmeline will help her become flesh as she once was. Emmeline agrees but the next morning the man in charge is in a coma and all that the witness saw was a long shadow with no one nearby to cast it. Scared to face punishment, Emmeline and Dar run away.
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With the noble’s guards on her trail, Emmeline's only hope of clearing her name is to escape capture and perform the ritual that will set Dar free. But Emmeline’s not sure she can trust Dar anymore, and it’s hard to keep secrets from someone who can never leave your side.

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The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books reveiws Before I Let Go: “With a chilling air of suspense and a dash of supernatural all wrapped up in the dreary and bitter cold of an Alaskan setting, this offers an emotional and twisted mystery. Nijkamp plays with time and format as she beautifully weaves narrative, letters, diary entries and phone calls into a single account. This title is great for readers with a taste for atmospheric mystery and who can appreciate the harrowing chill of an Alaskan winter.”

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp 

Sourcebooks Fire

Publication Date: January 2nd, 2018

Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Book Depository

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller This Is Where It Ends comes another unforgettable story of loss, hope, betrayal, and the quest for truth.

 Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.

Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated—and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town's lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she's a stranger.

Corey knows something is wrong. With every hour, her suspicion grows. Lost is keeping secrets—chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter...

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